the raft so far...

[CaptainTweak]

Hi guys,

I know im not a big poster here, im far too much of a newbie to put forth much helpful technical info, but just wanted to update on my raft.

i ended up building the frame at 8x8...right now there are 4 barrels. I think that should be adequate so far. They are all 55 gallon barrels. What do you think?

Ive sealed up the wood, in total i think this raft has cost me about 100 bucks. The wood was 40, the barrels were 5 dollars a peice. Then the sealant and various other things im sure to buy, im guessing about a 100 bucks.

Haha, so basically all i have to do is attach the barrels and build a little platform/deck for it. Think about half floating dock, half raft.

Ive sealed up the barrels with metal cauking for roofs and stuff. I think it will hold.

Any thoughts? always appreciated, and thanks for all the support and ideas.


--Melissah

[Ari]

Get another 4 more barrel, shape it or design a proper bow and stern and attach it to the drum..than you will have a good base for a pontoon boat house. During my boyhood days we used to built this kind of pontoon boat/raft and play with it in ex tin mining pond and lakes. If you want it to be real good, use steel frame instead of wood.Use stud and bolt instead of welding if you love to move it around..can be assemble at any location..!Wood is only for planking/deck.5 hp outboard is all you need to position it..fast flowing river anyway is not the teritory for this type of raft.. Don't expect it to last very long though..! Go ahead and enjoy your self..!

[timgoz]

After first making SURE that there is no potential for explosion (from former barrel contents, I would get a good welder to seal the barrels properly.

I to, as a youngster, messed about on a barrel raft. This was on a slow moving creek beneath a spillway. Personally I would be quite hesitent to be around commercial traffic, especially the river barge variety.

The above advice concerning a proper bow & stern is good. As to the stern, you never know when you may be making stern-way in a hurry. A proper stern would make getting pooped by a wake more livable.

TGoz

[CaptainTweak]

yes, this raft is mostly for the lake. to sit on, drink on, fish on. It wont have any sort of motorized propellant, it wont be around any sort of commercial activity.

i would like to get it welded but the money isnt worth it at this point....i cant afford it.

[Toot]

Sounds cool.

I'm half tempted to start a poll for all the old-timers. What's a better construction technique?

Old 55gallon drums?

or

Sheets of Polystyrene Insulation wrapped in fiberglass?

or

Exterior grade plywood with furring strips?

[Toot]

Sounds cool.

I'm half tempted to start a poll for all the old-timers. What's a better construction technique?



Old 55gallon drums?

or

Sheets of Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam) covered in fiberglass and epoxy?

or

Exterior grade plywood and furring strips







(Edit to add- there's nothing wrong with any of these systems... they all have their time and their place...)

[SamSam]

A lot of places metal barrels are not allowed. When they rust through and sink, whatever was left as residue inside the barrel gets released into the water. Sometimes it harmless, sometimes it's nasty. Most people use plastic barrels now. Sam

[Toot]

Originally Posted by SamSam

A lot of places metal barrels are not allowed. When they rust through and sink, whatever was left as residue inside the barrel gets released into the water. Sometimes it harmless, sometimes it's nasty. Most people use plastic barrels now. Sam

Here around Chicago, I know where you can get some really cool plastic barrels for free...

They are orange and have a lot of reflective tape on them so it's almost as good as a custom paint job and these barrels are so cheap that people think nothing of just leaving them by the roadside!

[Ari]

Toot, are you a boy scout before ? Get some suitable rope and tie those things up..! But make sure those drums are not for hazardous products.
Big floating house on pontoon in Malaysia are made by tying up the pontoon with rope.Normally the pontoon are made of bamboo pole or huge floating logs bundle togather.

[timgoz]

Float houses in southeast Alaska are usually made by building a platform atop rafted and bundled logs. These logs are the huge variety found in this temperate rainforest region. The only visible (at high tide) neighbor to my shore-based camp at Port Protection (back bay) had two house trailers sitting on a large log platform. I never sought out the details of construction, but with such large construction members I would assume they use wire rope.

Other than the possibility of being towed to a new locale, these are in no way intended to be mobile.

For your intended use I too think plastic barrels would be ideal. Whatever you end up useing, place the access opening (even once sealed) of your barrels at the highest (12 0'clock) position.

[CaptainTweak]

these were food grade barrels and i think they had cherries inside them so toxic chemicals isnt a concern

if anything the fish will be maraschino flavored

[CaptainTweak]

you should definately put the poll up

i would love to see the responses!

[marshmat]

Cherry flavoured pickerel? Worth a try, might even be good
Tweak, I think you're on a good track for what you intend to do with the thing as described in the first thread on it. Brace the corners of your frame good and solid, put some decking on it, strap the barrels in underneath (you want to be able to replace them if they leak, so be sure you can unstrap them without wrecking anything) and you'll be good to go. As I've mentioned before, such a craft, if built with reasonably good wood and solid corner pieces, can with due care live for over 20 years in the kind of calm waters you speak of. What kills a swimming/fishing raft is flexing in the corners, which opens up cracks where rot can set in. If the frame is solid enough not to flex around, you're good. 4 of those drums will easily keep four or more people high and dry on an 8-foot raft. Get the barrels out to the corners for best stability.

[CaptainTweak]

I definately need to brace the frame.

On an offnote, you talking about 20 years of long lasting raft pleasure...well, my boyfriend is a little bit of a doubter as far as this project is concerned.

It rained before i got to seal up this wood. Then, i let it dry and sealed it all up with waterproofing stuff for decks and what not. Do you think thats enough? How many times should i go over it?

I think his concern is the wood. I have faith that it will last for awhile. Do you have any further input as far as the wood is concerned? Is there any other substance i can put on the wood to seal it up better?

Also, what can i use/do to combat the barrels from rusting?

[sigurd]

mix equal amounts tar and linseed oil, thin with turpentine for the first layers at least so it will soak better. Prevents rot and such. If you already put a sealer on, then ???

Are you going to put a sail or kite on it?